Babar Azam (Source:X)
The ongoing season of the PSL 2026 has already begun delivering exciting cricket and memorable moments. One such moment came during a match involving Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam, whose unexpected reaction on camera quickly went viral on social media on March 28.
Babar Azam has been under scrutiny for his recent performances. In the recently concluded ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, the star player had a disappointing outing, scoring just 91 runs in four innings at a strike rate of 112.35 and an average of 22.75.
Babar Azam under pressure after recent struggles
Babar's struggles were not limited to international cricket. In the Big Bash League 2025-26 season, Babar managed only 202 runs in 11 innings at a strike rate of 103.06 and an average of 22.44.
Also Read: Mitchell Starc Issues Apology To Delhi Capitals; Reveals Reason For Not Joining IPL 2026
Babar Azam's overall record in the PSL remains impressive. He has played in 101 matches and made 3792 runs at an average of 44.61 and a strike-rate of 127.50.
A light moment of Babar Azam enlightens the PSL encounter
In the match, Babar Azam was seen casually tying his shoelaces near the boundary line. Suddenly, the broadcast camera zoomed in on him, catching him off guard.
As the commentator Dominik Cork made a remark, Babar looked up with a visibly shocked expression before bursting into laughter. The spontaneous reaction instantly went viral with clips spreading widely online.
Watch the video here:
Interestingly, Babar had also been in the news before the tournament for another viral moment during a promotional shoot. Attempting a simple catch, he misjudged the ball, which slipped from his hands and hit him on the head.
While harmless, the incident added to the growing list of light-hearted moments involving the star cricketer.
Rawalpindiz's solid start in first innings
Talking about today's match, Peshawar Zalmi is playing against Rawalpindiz at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium. Earlier in the match, RawalPindiz won the toss and elected to bat first.
RawalPindiZ Playing XI: Mohammad Rizwan (c/wk), Yasir Khan, Abdullah Fazal, Kamran Ghulam, Sam Billings, Daryl Mitchell, Amad Butt, Rishad Hossain, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir, Asif Afridi
Peshawar Zalmi Playing XI: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Haris, Kusal Mendis (wk), Aaron Hardie, Farhan Yousaf, Michael Bracewell, Abdul Samad, Aamir Jamal, Sufiyan Muqeem, Shoriful Islam, Ali Raza
The match between Rawalpindiz and Peshawar Zalmi saw a steady start from Rawalpindiz’s opening pair, led by Mohammad Rizwan and Yasir Khan, and the team was able to score 214/4.
PSL 2026 seen as a fresh start for the star batter
The PSL 2026 season presents a crucial opportunity for Babar to regain his form and confidence. After opting to take a short break from domestic cricket, he has returned refreshed and focused on leading Peshawar Zalmi to a successful campaign.
Last season was disappointing for Zalmi, as they failed to qualify for the playoffs. Under Babar’s leadership, the team will be eager to turn things around this year.
A strong performance could not only help the franchise but also strengthen Babar Azam's case in Pakistan's side once again.
Also Read: Fakhar Zaman Eyes Babar Azam’s All-Time Record After Breaching 3000-Run PSL Landmark
